Feeding mechanism for tape applying machines



Aug. 1, 1939. R. A. HA T-T FEEDING MECHANISM FOR TAPE APPLYING MACHINES Filed Jail. 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Aug. 1, 1939. R. A. HARTT FEEDING MECHANISM FOR TAPE APPLYING MACHINES Filed Jan. 8, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Au 1', 1939 UNITED ST TES- PATENT": oFFlcE Y 2,108,159 Y manure Mncmmsm son. were APPLYING moms Robert 5. Butt, Lynn, Mass;- Application January a, 1938, Serial No. 184,008

'1 Glaims.- (01. 12-51) It is a very common practice in the manufacture of shoes to apply a reinforcing tape to certain parts of the upper. Sometimes thisis done in connection with the stitching of binding to an -edg. Portion of the upper material. At other times the tape is applied independently. Such a tape is customarily coated with an adhesive which may be either of the normally tacky variety or of a thermo-plastic nature, and this adhe- :io sive is utilized in aflixing the tape to the work even though the tape may also be stitched to the upper material, either simultaneously with its application, or in a subsequent operation,

It is the customary practice to supply tape of 18 this character to the machine wound upon itself into'the form of a roll It is fed to the sewing or other tape applying instrumentalities solely by the work feeding mechanism. If the tape unwinds readily from the roll, no difiiculty is en- :20- countered, but it is a very common experience for the tape to stick so firmly to the turn or convolution next below it, that it seriously interferes with its application to the upper material. Some times the required pull on the tape is so great 25- that it distorts'the leather, and even when this does not occur, the high resistance to .the feeding movement of the tape slows up the operator and tends to produce flaws in the work.

The present invention deals especially with the V --36 the proper speed to suit the requirementsof the machine; a Y

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying draw- 4. lugs; and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims,

Y in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, somewhat diagrammatic in character, of a sewing. machine equipped with a tape supplying -mechanism em.-

bodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view on a larger scale of the more importantparts of the mechanism shown 50 inFig. 1;

Fig.3 is a sectional view showing the relationship between the feed roll and-the tape supplying roll; a

c5 3; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4, Fig.

Fig. 5 is a side view showing a somewhat differentmounting of the tape supplying roll.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the organiza- Y tion there shown comprises a sewing machine 2 of afcommon commercial type-molmted on a 6 bench 3. It is driven by an electric motor I through a mechanism commonly known as the Singer transmission and which comprises a counter shaft 5 located below the bench and extending parallel to it, this shaft being driven by 10 a belt connection 6 with the motor 4. A loose pulley I on the shaft 5 is connected by a belt 8 to the pulley III on the machine, and the connection between the pulley l and the shaft 5 is controlled by a treadle l2 through the bell crank lever l3, these two elements being connected to each other by a link ll. The arrangement is such that-normally the machine is idle even though the shaft 5 is continuously driven by the motor. When the operator depresses the treadle l2, however, it operates through the connections above described and through a friction clutch connection between the parts 1 and 9 to drive the former and thus to operate the sewing machine. In view of the fact that this mechaat him is well known, no detailed description or fed under the presser foot P of the machine,

The mechanism-provided by this -invention. comprises a holder l5 for supporting a supply roll is of tape, and a feed roll n which'withdraws or unwinds tape from the roll IGJ- In addition to the plate IS, the holder also includes another plate l8, Fig. 3, at the opposite side of the roll 40 from the'plate IS, the two being secured together at the shank of the holder and also connected by a bolt II on which a spacing collarZl is mounted. This bolt, together with the central core 22 serves to center the roll. of tape and to support it for free rotation around the core, the core holding the plate l5 and II spaced apart by a distance greater than the thickness of the supply roll-l6, and these, plates pre'venflng the Y convolutions of the tape from slipping ofi them roll laterally. The holder is secured to a convenient support in any suitable manner as, for example, by the screws 23, Fig. 2. It should be notedthat the spacing collar 2l is preferably made square in section, 'and' that it slides'in a 6" which the tape is drawn oif the'supply roll by the feed roll,- these two rolls always remain in peripheral engagement with each other.

Asbestshowninl'ig.1,thefeedroll "is mounted on a-shaft 2i lying below the bench 3 namely, the pulley I.

and extending parallel-to it. Itis supported in suitable or hangers, and at its end opposite the feed roll it'has a-worm wheel 2.' secured firmly-thereto. 'lhis wheel is driven by a worm 21 mounted on a shaft "which is supported in bearings formed in a bracket II secured to the lower side of the bench. Mounted on this shaft 28 is a friction wheel 3|. arranged to bear against the driven pulley I so that it is revolved by its frictional engagement with themember 1 whenever the latter is nmning. with this arrangement the speed at which the feed roll I! is driven will bear a definite and predetermined ratio to the speed of the tape applying instrumentalities and the ratio is made such that the feed roll withdraws tape from the supply roll I at exactly the rate at which the work is being fed bythe feeding mechanism of the sewing although each has its own driving mechanism. The two are, however, maintained in synchronisrn by virtue of the fact that they are both driven from a'ccmmon driving element,

In thearrangement shown in Figs-,1 and 2,'the siipply roll I. rests on the periphery of the feed roll 11, and the tape T is guided around approximately one-half the circumference of the feed j roll and then is led upwardly through a slot 32 in the bench into position. to travel forward over the surface of the feed'plate of the machineto the needle and presser foot. Because of this arrangement the feed roll obtains a strong'frictional gr l onthetapeanditexertsapryingforceonthe tape at the point where it leaves the roll. This arrangement thus exerts a substantially pomtive action on the tape to peel if off, or separate it from,- the main .body of tape on the supply roll. Simultaneously with the unwinding or pulling of the tape off the roll it feeds it toward the sewing instrumentalities. As above indicated, therate at whichit is so advanced may bemade exactly order to facilitate this operationQthe reed roll.

that required by the speed of operation of the tape applying mechanism, notwithstanding variations always maintained in peripheral contact with the feed roll, the rate at which the latter feeds the tape is not aflected by the reduction in diameter of-the feed roll due to the withdrawal-of tape from it. Preferably the feed roll is made of rubber or some other composition which will exert a stron frictionalgrip on the tape, and'its surface may be notched, as shown at 3!, Fig.2, to increase such After the taping operation on a shoe upper or other article of work has been completed, the operator frequently draws a short section of tape from the supply rollbefore cutting it oil. In

'preferably is moimtedon the hub of a ratchet wheel 3, Figs. 3 and 4, loosely supported on the shaft 25. a sprinspawl is mounted on a hub a which is secured fast to the shaft 2!, drives the ratchet wheel and consequently the feed wheel II. in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 2, when the shaft 25 is being revolved. However, if the opera- ,itor pulls onthe tape at-a point after it has left the feed wheel, it will result in revolving said wheel up ar ly-j independently of its driving mechanism and thin permitting, the operator" to withdraw the desired length of tape.

- It will be evident from the foregoing that the invention provides a relatively simple mechanism which serves to withdraw the tape positively from the supply roll and feed it positively toward the tape applying instr'umentalities at iust the rate required by them. The m.op erates automatically and requires no attention on the part of the operator. The fact that it feeds at the correct rate, avoiding either an excess or' a deficiency in rate of delivery, is important since it avoids the presence either of any substantial I slackortensionon the tape. The abmnce ofdrag on the tape and pull on the work, as in prior arrankements, contributes to ease and speed of operation and to producing work of high quality. Itis especially useful in those situations where an unusually sticky tapeis required, since the tension necessary to unwind such a tape from the roll is,

of course;'much greater than with the more com-= mon forms of tapes. The fact. also, that the mechanism is easily applied to standard tape applying machines, is an important practical ad- Inasewingmachinesuchasthatshowmthe .workisfedstepbystep. Thedriving element of the machine, however, revolves continuously, and

thetapefeedingroll ilisdrivenbyitsothatthe,

, rai of feed of the tape is continuous and is not affected by the intermittent feed of the work.

Nor is the operation of the sewing mechanism af-" fected adversely by the continuous feed of the tape so long asthe tape i'sfree from tension. If the tape feed should be set for a Slightly higher rate than that at which the sewing mechanism takes it, no substantial amount of slack would accumulate because any appreciable degree of slackwillsoreducethegripoftheroll I'Ionthe tape as to slow down or perhaps momentarily stop the feeding of the tape. In-other words, the pulling of the tape from the supply roll II by the feed roll I1 is largely dependent upon the grip exerted on the tape by the wrapping of the latter around a relatively large part ofthe circumfer- -.ence of the feed roll, as above pointed out.

- In the arrangement above described, the supply roll it always rests on the feed roll by gravity. Such a relationship, however, is not necessary. and that shown in Fig. 5 often is preferred. Here the parts corresponding to those above described have beendesighated by the same, but primed,

numerals. It will he observed that the slot 2|.

in which the centeringholt Il'runs, is inclined The action of the feed roll l'l, however, in unwinding tape from-the periphery of the supply roll, draws the roll itself up to the feed roll and always maintains it in contact them-- with,thisactionbeingcausedbytheadhesion of adioiningturns or convolutions of tape to each While I have herein shown and describeda typical embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit orscope thereof. For example, the speed reduction mechanism through which the feed roll is driven from the power element that drives the tape applying machine may take a variety of forms. In this arrahgement, also, the bracket a is mountedfor adjustment to vary the pressure j fof. the friction wheel Ii against the'pulley I, but .a spring actuated arrangement for eifecting'this 'adiustment is sometimes preferred In some the essential features of the invention. Also, that while the particular material handled by it has been referredto as reinforcing tape" and the work as shoe uppers, the invention is not limited in its usefulness to these precise materials,

and that these terms, therefore, should be understood to include tape llke materials which the apparatus is capable of handling and articles of work other than shoe uppers to which the tape can be applied in essentially the manner above described.

Having thus described" my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:-

1. In a machine for applying reinforcing tape to parts of shoe uppers, the combination with tape applying instrumentalities, of means for supplying said tape to said insi'irumentalities comprising means for supporting a supply roll of said tape, a

said feed roll notwithstanding the reduction in its 7 diameter due to the withdrawal of tape therefrom.

feed roll positioned immediately beside and iii contact with said supply roll and around which the tape is drawn from the latter roll so that the rotation of the feed roll pries the tape off the supply roll, means for guiding the tape from said feed roll to said instrumentalitles, and mechanism for driving said feed roll in a predetermined speed relationship to the operation of said applying inachine, said guiding means, said feed roll-and the means for supporting said supply roll being constructed and arranged to cause the supply roll to remain constantly in peripheral engagement with 2.-In a machine for applying reinforcing tape to parts of shoe uppers, the combination with tape applying instrumentalifles, of means for supply ing said tape to said instrumentalities comprising means for supporting a' supply roll of said tape, a feed roll positioned beside and in contact with said supply roll and around which the tape is drawn' from the latter roll, means for guiding the tape "from said feed roll to said instrumentalities, and' mechanism for driving said feed roll continuously during the operation of the machine andin a predetermined speed relationship to the operation of saidapplying machine; said guiding means, said feed roll, and said means "for supporting said supply roll being constructed and arranged to draw the tape around and in contact with a sumcient part of the circumference of said feed roll to enable the latter roll to pry-the tape away from the supply roll even when it adheres firmly to the main body of tape on the latter roll.

3. In a machine for applying reinforcing tape to parts of shoe uppers, the combination with tape applying instrmnentalities, of means for supply-- ing said tape to said instrumentalities comprising means for supporting a supplyzoll ofsaidtap a feed-roll positioned beside said supplyroil and around which the tape is drawn from the latter roll, means for guiding the tape from said feedroll to said instrumentalitics, a main driving element for said machine, and a gear mechanism. driven by said elemmt and driving V saidfeedrollcontinuouslyduringtheoperaflmof the roll to be revolved'independently of its driving said means supporting said supply roll for moveof the circumference of the feed roll, said means 7 the feed roll to maintain it constantly in periphmechanismunder the control of the operator for the machine and in a predetermined speed relationsbip to the operation of said instrinnentalities.

4. In a combination according to preceding claim 1, the provision of connections between said feed roll and its driving mechanism for enabling means by a pull exerted on the tape after it has left the feed roll. i

5. In a machine for applying reinforcing tape to parts of shoe uppers, the combination with tape applying instrumentalities, of a tape feeding roll, means for 'supportinga supply roll of tape for rotation in peripheral contact with said feed roll,

devices for guiding the tape away from said feedroll and to said instrumentalities in such a direction that the tape is continuously wrapped around a large part of the circumferenceof the feed roll,

ment toward the feed roll to maintain it constantly in peripheral engagement therewith notwithstanding the reduction in the diameter of-the supply roll as the tape is withdrawntherefrom, and mechanism for driving said feed roll continuously during the operation of said .applying machine and in a predetermined relationship to such operation.

6. In a machine for applying reinforcing tape to parts of shoe uppers, the combination with tape applying instrumentalities, of a tape feeding roll, means for supporting a supply roll of tape for rotation in peripheral contact with said feed roll, devices for guiding the tape away from said feed roll and tosaid instrumentallties in s'uch a direction that the tape is wrapped around a large part supporting said supply roll for movement toward eral engagement therewith notwithstanding the reduction in the diameter of the pply roll as the 4 tape is withdrawn therefrom, a transmission driving said machine, said mechanism including a pulley, and connections between said feed roll and said pulley for driving the feed roll from the pulley, said connections including a friction wheel in contact with and driven by the pulley 7. In a machine for applying reinforcing tape toparts of shoe uppers, the combination with tape applying instrumentalities,-of a tape feeding roll,

- means for supporting a supply rollof tape for rotation in peripheral contact with said feed roll,

devices for guiding the tape awayfrom saidfeed roll and to said instrumentalities .insuch a direction that the tape is wrapped aroimd a large part of the circumferenceof the feed roll, said means supporting said supply roll for movement into contact with'thefeed roll due to the pull exerted by the latter on the tape to maintain the tworolls constantly in peripheral engagement with each other notwithstanding the reduction in the diameter of the supplyroll as the tape is withdrawn therefrom, means including transmission in for driving said applying machine, manually operable means for controlling the application of power therefrom to said machine, and mechanism controlled by said manually operable means for driving said feed roll. '3

aonna'r A. HARTI'; 

